Description
Million Dollar Soup Velvet is a rich, creamy chicken soup loaded with melty cheese, tender shredded chicken, and crispy bacon. Cozy, comforting, and irresistibly smooth, this soup tastes like a restaurant favorite but is easy enough for a weeknight dinner. Perfect for chilly nights, busy families, or anytime you crave serious comfort food.
Ingredients
-
2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
-
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
-
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
-
3 cloves garlic, minced
-
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
-
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
-
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
-
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
-
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
-
1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, freshly shredded
-
1 cup heavy cream
-
1 teaspoon kosher salt (adjust to taste)
-
½ teaspoon black pepper
-
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
-
½ teaspoon ground mustard
-
Optional garnish: chopped fresh chives
-
Optional garnish: crispy crumbled bacon
Instructions
-
Finely chop the onion and celery and mince the garlic.
-
In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and celery and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring often, until softened and translucent.
-
Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
-
Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir constantly for 2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste.
-
Slowly whisk in the chicken broth, adding it gradually while stirring to prevent lumps.
-
Add the shredded chicken, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and ground mustard. Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 10 minutes.
-
Reduce heat to low and stir in the softened cream cheese until completely melted and smooth.
-
Add the heavy cream, cheddar cheese, and Monterey Jack cheese. Stir gently and cook for 5–7 minutes until fully melted and creamy.
-
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
-
Serve hot, garnished with chives and bacon if desired.
Notes
Use rotisserie chicken to save time and add extra flavor.
Keep the heat low once the cheese is added to prevent curdling.
If the soup thickens too much, add a splash of chicken broth or cream to loosen it.
This soup reheats best over low heat with gentle stirring.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 145 mg